BOCA RATON, Fla. — Gov. Ron DeSantis was at Florida Atlantic University Thursday morning to announce another initiative to revamp higher education processes in the state.
"Higher education has veered throughout our country off really solid foundations that it was meant to be," DeSantis said.
The governor announced that there will be a new higher education accreditor to be named the Commission for Public Higher Education. DeSantis said this change will ensure that universities around the state will consistently meet academic quality and excellence.
"This endeavor will introduce a new accreditor to the marketplace, it will upend the monopoly of the woke accreditation cartels," DeSantis said.
DeSantis said the implementation of this accreditation could "take some time," but said it's important it gets finalized during President Donald Trump's term, as it needs to be approved by the U.S. Department of Education.
"The reality is, if it doesn't get approved (during Trump's term), you can have a president come in next and potentially revoke it," DeSantis said.
The governor also mentioned his past initiatives on higher education, including the implementation of post-tenure faculty review, the ban on DEI programs and giving universities the power to interfere with student demonstrations.
FAU's newly appointed president, Adam Hasner, praised the governor for this move.
DeSantis also addressed concerns about the "Alligator Alcatraz" project and its potential impact on the Everglades.
He told reporters at Florida Atlantic University he doesn't believe the facility being built right now amid alligators, snakes and mosquitoes will have any environmental impact.
DeSantis said the money spent building the facility will be reimbursed from federal funds.
WATCH: Governor Ron DeSantis answers questions about Alligator Alcatraz
